100 Unique Rich Last Names

When it comes to wealth and status, specific last names instantly spring to mind-ones that elicit dinosaurs of power, opulence, and centuries-old legacies.

These rich last names are less about mere identifiers but represent generous hereditary legacies, business empires, and donations to society.

These names, whether born by the very old money or made by sweat and toil, do command a certain cachet that bespeaks privilege.

Here, we shall look to commercial last names rich status and the stories behind them.

Rich last names

Rockefeller – Of German origin, meaning “rocky field.” Famously associated with John D. Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil.

Vanderbilt – Dutch origin, meaning “from the castle.” Known for their wealth in the railroad industry.

Ford – English origin, meaning “river crossing” or “ford.” Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company.

Kennedy – Irish origin, meaning “descendant of Cinneide,” a name that symbolizes a proud lineage.

Carnegie – Scottish origin, meaning “son of the chief.” Andrew Carnegie made his fortune in steel.

Windsor – English origin, derived from Windsor Castle. Associated with the British royal family.

Du Pont – French origin, meaning “from the bridge.” A name linked to the famous chemical company.

Gates – English origin, meaning “dweller near the gates.” Bill Gates is synonymous with Microsoft.

Morgan – Welsh origin, meaning “sea-born” or “bright.” J.P. Morgan was a financial magnate.

Hilton – English origin, meaning “town on the hill.” Known for the Hilton Hotels empire.

Parker – Old English origin, meaning “keeper of the park.” Associated with wealth and old money families.

Hunt – English origin, meaning “hunter.” The Hunt family made their fortune in oil.

Rothschild – German origin, meaning “red shield.” The Rothschild family has been one of the wealthiest banking families in history.

Bush – English origin, meaning “dweller near the bush or thicket.” The Bush family produced two U.S. presidents.

Astor – Old French origin, meaning “hawk” or “rapacious.” The Astor family made their wealth in real estate and fur trading.

Kroc – Slavic origin, meaning “cross.” Ray Kroc is known for expanding McDonald’s into a global empire.

Walmart – Derived from the founder Sam Walton’s last name, which has become a synonym for retail dominance.

Hearst – English origin, meaning “enclosed grove.” The Hearst family is known for its media empire.

Sachs – German origin, meaning “Saxon.” The Sachs family is tied to banking and finance.

Walton – Old English origin, meaning “town near the forest.” Associated with the Waltons, founders of Walmart.

Disney – French origin, meaning “from the holy place.” The Disney family created an entertainment empire.

Schwab – German origin, meaning “a person from Swabia.” Known for Charles Schwab, the investment broker.

Lazarus – Hebrew origin, meaning “God is my help.” Associated with the Lazarus department store chain.

Biltmore – A surname linked to the Biltmore estate, associated with the Vanderbilt family.

Chanel – French origin, meaning “canal.” Coco Chanel built a luxury fashion empire.

Coca-Cola – Derived from the founder John Pemberton’s company, now a global beverage brand.

Kellogg – English origin, meaning “a place with a spring.” Associated with the cereal empire founded by Will Keith Kellogg.

Hilton – English origin, meaning “hill town.” Famous for the hotel chain founded by Conrad Hilton.

Berkshire – Old English origin, meaning “birch tree.” Berkshire Hathaway is the conglomerate led by Warren Buffett.

Chrysler – A surname linked to the automobile giant Chrysler, founded by Walter Chrysler.

Duke – Old English origin, meaning “leader.” A prestigious family name tied to wealth and nobility.

Ziegler – German origin, meaning “brick maker.” Associated with the Ziegler family’s success in industrial ventures.

Oppenheimer – German origin, meaning “from the upper mine.” The Oppenheimer family made its fortune in mining.

Mellon – Old English origin, meaning “son of the old man.” Known for their financial empire and philanthropic work.

Hewlett – Old English origin, meaning “little Hugh.” Known for the Hewlett-Packard tech company.

Kaufman – German origin, meaning “merchant.” A name connected to wealth in retail and industry.

Sloan – Irish origin, meaning “warrior.” The Sloan family has ties to wealth through banking and business.

Bain – Scottish origin, meaning “fair.” Associated with the financial investment firm Bain & Company.

Broussard – French origin, meaning “swamp.” Tied to the Broussard family’s wealth in business ventures.

Burgess – Old English origin, meaning “town official.” Associated with wealthy merchant families.

Harrison – English origin, meaning “son of Harry.” A prestigious name that became synonymous with wealth in business.

Thompson – Old English origin, meaning “son of Thomas.” A prominent name linked to business empires.

McDonald – Scottish origin, meaning “son of Donald.” Associated with the global fast food chain.

Guggenheim – German origin, meaning “from the mine.” Associated with the Guggenheim family’s wealth from banking and industry.

Barclay – Old French origin, meaning “birch tree meadow.” The name is tied to the banking dynasty.

Mayer – German origin, meaning “mayor.” The Mayer family is associated with wealth in banking.

Pritzker – Jewish origin, meaning “merchant.” A family known for its wealth in hotels and investments.

Hassett – Irish origin, meaning “son of the little horse.” Tied to a family legacy in business.

Goldman – Jewish origin, meaning “gold man.” The Goldman family is known for the Goldman Sachs investment bank.

Frick – German origin, meaning “peaceful ruler.” Tied to the industrial wealth of the Frick family in steel.

Simpson – English origin, meaning “son of Simon.” Linked to wealth from businesses and investments.

Goldman – Jewish origin, meaning “gold man.” Known for the banking empire Goldman Sachs.

Wells – English origin, meaning “dweller at the well.” Tied to wealth in finance and business, notably Wells Fargo.

Baron – Old French origin, meaning “baron.” Associated with nobility and business fortunes.

Woolworth – English origin, meaning “enclosure with wool.” Known for the Woolworth department store chain.

Beckham – Old English origin, meaning “beehive settlement.” Made famous by the soccer star, with ties to wealth in sports.

Sotheby – Old English origin, meaning “southern farm.” The prestigious auction house, Sotheby’s, is associated with this name.

Hearst – English origin, meaning “enclosed grove.” Tied to William Randolph Hearst’s media empire.

Schneider – German origin, meaning “tailor.” Associated with families who made wealth in various industries.

Vaughn – Welsh origin, meaning “small.” Known for wealth in business and technology.

Hasselbeck – German origin, meaning “hazel tree.” Connected to wealth through sports and business ventures.

Zuckerberg – German origin, meaning “sugar mountain.” Associated with Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook’s success.

Davis – Welsh origin, meaning “son of David.” Known for wealth in media and sports.

Perot – French origin, meaning “small rock.” Connected to wealth through businessman Ross Perot.

Bingham – Old English origin, meaning “settlement by the stream.” Associated with business wealth and newspapers.

Pope – English origin, meaning “priest.” Linked to the Pope family’s wealth in business and media.

Bishop – English origin, meaning “bishop.” Connected to old money families and business ventures.

Crawford – Scottish origin, meaning “ford near a crow-infested wood.” Tied to wealth through oil and finance.

Sampson – Hebrew origin, meaning “sun child.” Linked to wealth in various industries.

Dodge – English origin, meaning “ditch.” Associated with the Dodge family’s wealth in the automotive industry.

JPMorgan – English origin, linked to the financial empire of J.P. Morgan.

Fisher – German origin, meaning “fisherman.” Wealthy through the Fisher family’s retail and technology holdings.

Ford – Old English origin, meaning “river crossing.” Tied to the wealth of Ford Motor Company’s Henry Ford.

Musk – Dutch origin, meaning “musk.” Known for Elon Musk and his wealth in technology and innovation.

Bauer – German origin, meaning “farmer.” Associated with wealth from various industrial ventures.

Moore – Old French origin, meaning “marsh.” Linked to wealth through the Moore family’s influence in business and media.

Kroc – Slavic origin, meaning “cross.” Associated with Ray Kroc’s wealth from McDonald’s.

Rivers – English origin, meaning “dweller by the river.” Connected to wealth in sports and entertainment.

Knight – Old English origin, meaning “servant.” Wealth tied to various influential business figures.

Schwab – German origin, meaning “from Swabia.” Linked to wealth from Charles Schwab’s brokerage empire.

Mellon – Old English origin, meaning “son of the old man.” Famous for wealth in banking, steel, and philanthropy.

Arnault – French origin, meaning “eagle ruler.” Tied to Bernard Arnault and the LVMH luxury empire.

Rockwell – English origin, meaning “rocky stream.” Wealth tied to the Rockwell family’s business empire.

Hickok – English origin, meaning “son of Richard.” Tied to wealth from banking and retail.

Bayer – German origin, meaning “farmer.” Associated with wealth in chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Onassis – Greek origin, meaning “from Onassos.” Known for wealth from shipping and business.

Raymond – Old French origin, meaning “wise protector.” Tied to wealth from business ventures.

Parker – Old English origin, meaning “keeper of the park.” Associated with wealthy families involved in business and philanthropy.

Zimmerman – German origin, meaning “carpenter.” Wealth connected to industrialists and business owners.

Dunn – Irish origin, meaning “dark.” Linked to wealth in retail and energy industries.

Gates – English origin, meaning “dweller by the gate.” Tied to Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft.

Prada – Italian origin, meaning “meadow.” Tied to the luxury fashion empire created by the Prada family.

Avery – Old English origin, meaning “ruler of elves.” Known for wealth from family-owned businesses.

Carter – Old English origin, meaning “cart driver.” Wealth connected to the Carter family’s involvement in energy and business.

Brock – Old English origin, meaning “badger.” Tied to wealth in business and politics.

Hoffman – German origin, meaning “man from the farm.” Associated with wealth from retail and manufacturing businesses.

Stewart – Old English origin, meaning “steward.” Wealth linked to business and shipping dynasties.

Dalton – Old English origin, meaning “valley town.” Tied to wealth in business and real estate.

Colgate – English origin, meaning “from the cold gate.” Tied to the Colgate-Palmolive company, known for household products.

Searle – Old French origin, meaning “victory.” Tied to wealth from pharmaceutical and chemical ventures.